Inspirational and good news.
Japanese researchers have discovered that menstrual blood contains stem cells, a lot of stem cells. They were able to harvest 30 times more stem cells from young women’s menstrual blood than from bone marrow.
What’s more is that the stem cells have a longer life span!
Hundreds of doctors from all around the World have added their signatures to a letter condemning doctors in Gunantanamo for force feeding inmates on hunger strike. The letter is published in the Lancet Medical Journal and states that techniques such as restraints and the use of force to feed prisoners by nasal tube should be prohibited.
The principles of the World Medical Assiciation represent physicians in the US as well as countries all around the globe and specifically ban the use of force feeding as it is seen as cruel behaviour.
Some 500 prisoners are still being held in Guantanamo, however, several prominent groups, such as Amnesty International and the UN, are presently urging the U.S. to close down the facility. Since Amnesty’s initial involvement in letter writing campaigns 15 detainees have been released from US custody, 8 of which have been freed indefinately.
Care to send a letter to the U.S. to speak out against torture and injustice in Gunatanamo?
Follow the link to good action!
We write a lot about technology around here, so when I say that this post is the mother of all tech-related posts, that’s saying a lot. Usually we report on one positive technology at a time; this time, we’re reporting on dozens.
The Tech Museum Awards exist to recognize and celebrate technology that benefits humanity. Nominations for the 2006 awards are currently being accepted, but in the meantime, check out the 2005 laureates. Amongst them:
Enviro Options
Enviro Options developed the Enviro Loo to make inroads into the enormous backlog of the sanitation requirement of the entire human race. The design is an attempt to produce a sanitation system that can be mass-produced, relatively cheaply. The technology is simple. It requires no chemicals… It is powered by radiant heat absorbed from sunlight and wind power. It requires minimal maintenance. It will not pollute ground water, and is user friendly.
Malnutrition Matters
Malnutrition Matters designed the VitaGoat system to benefit people in villages and rural areas of developing countries, by providing sustainable employment on a micro-enterprise basis and improving nutrition… The VitaGoat enables quick preparation of protein-rich foods such as soymilk and tofu that are highly beneficial for protein-deficient diets and especially for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Uruguay has put a ban on smoking in public spaces (similar to bans already in place in some European countries) and now has the stiffest restrictions on smoking in Latin America. President Tabare Vazquez is a practicing oncologist and is clearly a firm supporter of the ban.
About one third of the population smokes, but now they won’t be able to smoke in any enclosed public spaces, including bars, malls, and office buildings.
In 1995, an Indian doctor named Madan Kataria started a club in India which prescribes a healthy dose of humour to prolong and enrich life, and the idea (like the laughter) is contagious.
They begin by limbering up and relaxing their muscles, and then laugh with each other for hours! The club members report, not surprisingly, decreased stress and increased happiness. American researchers corroborate the story with evidence that laughter prolongs life, boosts the immune system and reduces stress.
Over 5000 laughing clubs have sprung up in India, Halifax, Illinois, and around the world. Why not start a laughing club in your area?